FLINT, MI – From the Flint Public Library, to University of Michigan-Flint students, and volunteers at Genesee County Habitat For Humanity, residents chose all types of ways to honor civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. all day Monday.

“Let us remember Dr. King’s work in not complete,” said Kay Schwartz, director of the Flint Public Library during the 28th annual community celebration. “”We must continue to work towards his dream.”

More than 200 people filled the library, stirred to their feet during a rendition of King’s “I Have A Dream” speech and cheering during a presentation by Gamma Delta Kudos and the Kappa Leadership League.

Keynote speaker Tendaji Ganges, executive director of the office of educational opportunity initiatives at the University of Michigan-Flint, said some people “get lost in (King’s) depth, the magic of the man.”

“He was more than a civil rights leaders,” Ganges said. “He embodied what many of us what to be, but haven’t yet become.”

While marches and speeches are bits and pieces of history recalled or read about in history books, Ganges said King was also a leader for human rights in speaking out about the Vietnam War and jobs while facing a growing tide of dissent because of his words and actions.

“He knew the end of his life was coming, if he continued to do what he was doing,” Ganges said. “He did it anyways, not just for black people but all mankind.”

Flint resident Eddie Williams has attended the celebration event for the last 15 years, and said King’s message was more than just about civil rights.

“He was for everybody, black and white,” he said. “Equality for everyone.”

Mike Whaler, a Mt. Morris resident and senior at the University of Michigan-Flint, volunteered Monday as his way of giving back on the day of service.

“It’s not that it’s Martin Luther King Day. It’s just a day to help and give back,” he said. “It’s a good way to help the community and Flint needs it. It’s always nice to give an assisting hand.”

Around 50 volunteers were giving back at the Genesee County Habitat for Humanity Restore, with the sound of hammers ringing through the basement at the Burton Street location.

“To work together and celebrate Dr. King is a small way for us to celebrate his legacy,” said Juan Zuniga, program director, of the group building three 8 foot-by-10 foot sheds to go up with homes for residents.

Flint resident Kristen Machuk literally gave of herself, donating blood in honor of her father who just began receiving chemotherapy treatments for myelodysplastic syndrome, a bone marrow disorder caused by poorly formed or dysfunctional blood cells.

“It’s devastating because other people give him blood so he can maintain a life,” He said the 30-year-old University of Michigan-Flint student. “For me to do the same thing for others is my way of giving back.”

Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields shared her thanks for the sacrifices of King, with the more than 350 people in the library’s main reading room, recounting the words of the gospel hymn Precious Lord, Take My Hand.

“Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn,” she said. “I used to hear the lyrics all the time and it helped to keep going.”

Flint resident Cherisse Bradley came to the community celebration to keep King’s memory alive.

“First and foremost, I came to celebrate the magnificent life of Dr. Martin Luther King,” she said. “We wouldn’t have the freedom to vote or walk around the with people of other nationalities. It’s very important that we celebrate the life he lived.”